Swimming device



July 14, 1925. 1,545,807

G. AJELLO SWIMMING DEVICE Filed Nov. '7, 192],

INVENTOR Patented July 14, 1925.

UNITED STATES GAETAN AJELLO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SWIMMING nnvrcn.

Application filed November To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, GAETAN AJELLo, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Swimming Device, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to provide for a person, when in water, a means. to increase the efficiency of his movements against water; mainly in keeping afloat or in swimming. YVith such object in view, inspired by the action and appearance of the winged foot of a duck or a frog,1 provide a device that fastened on the ankle, of a person, or on the wrist or arm or on the foot (in the form of a shoe) would develop a collapsible surface against the water.

Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings, forming part of this specification, Fig. 1 is an elevation of the device in a collapsed or inoperative form.

Fig. 2, the same device as in Fig. 1 but in extended or operative state.

Fig. 8, an enlarged sectional view of the device. j

Fig. 4-, a similar illustration as in Fig. 3 but showing a modification in construction.

Fig. 5 is the elevation of a modification of the device as applied to the foot in the form of a shoe.

Referring by numerals to the drawings, 1 represents a collar that opens in two to be adapted to the ankle or wrist and fastened thereto by any well known means; 2 represents the collapsible surface made of any flexible material as for instance strong linen; said surface is reinforced by ribs 3 which are securely attached thereto. The flexible surface 2 extends to the inner surface of collar 1 as shown at 4 to form a flexible joint between the reinforcements 3 and the collar 1. In order to further strengthen said joint another layer of strong flexible material 6 may be attached between the reinforcements 3, the surface 2 and the inner part of collar 1, in a way that the grain of one layer of linen be diagonal to the grain of the other.

It is obvious that in a movement against the water (Fig. 2) as for instance to keep 7, 1921. Serial No. 513,570.

afloat or swim, the ribs 3 and surface 2 would take the position 3 (Fig. 3) and resist the force of reaction of the water by implngmg against the outer flange 7 of collar 1, and soon after such force ceases or upon retiring the limb in preparation for another blow, the ribs 3 and the surface they reinforce would take again a collapsed position as in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows a modification in the construction of the device consistmg in fastening the surface 2 with its reinforcement within the shape of a metallic collar 1.

In Fig. 5 the edge of a sole 8 would serve as the edge 7 of Fig. 3, a body 9 would serve to prevent the contact of the ends of the ribs and surface 2 with the ground on walking, if out of the Water. In order to make the attachment of the device to the limb safer and also keep it at any desired height or distance an additional fastening means 10 may be provided, see Figs. 1 and 2.

It is understood that the projection of the collapsible surface is not to be con st-rued as in all cases uniform; it could be less projecting on the inside of the limbs of a person to obviate the probability of annoylng contact between limbs and device.

It is also understood that cushioning means could be added to any part of the device for more comfortable wear, if desired, or better mechanical movement as for instance, the action of ring or collar 11, to regulate the limit of the collapsible movement to insure obtaining a good hold in the water at any time. Cushioning means could also be added to the outer extremities of reinforcements 3,if desired.

I claim:

In a swimming device, the combination of a collar to be fastened on a limb of the swimmer, said collar having a plurality of GAETAN AJELLO. 

